One of the most popular events on Rajasthan’s cultural calendar, Mewar Festival, this year is going to be celebrated from March 24-26 in the City of Lakes, Udaipur.
The festival, which coincides with Gangaur Festival, marks the beginning of spring and is held every year in the month of March or April. The entire city becomes immersed in a riot of colours through dances, rangolis, and vibrant outfits worn by people. This is why Mewar Festival is one you should not miss when visiting Udaipur in March.
Here’s how the Mewar Festival is celebrated
During the festival, Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati, are worshipped. Women, in traditional and colourful attires, deck up the idols or images of these deities. The preparations for this festival start weeks in advance, and the festivities mainly begin with collecting ashes from the Holika Dahan fire. Barley seeds are sown into these ashes, which are watered until they germinate.
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Newly married women pray for their partner’s health and even observe a fast for 18 days. On the day of Gangaur, women head to Gangaur ghat in a huge procession that begins at Clock Tower. At the ghat, which is located on Lake Pichola, these idols are put on boats and allowed to float away, making for a magnificent spectacle.
The Mewar Festival is visited by many tourists from across the globe. So, in celebration and to enhance the experiences of guests and locals alike, the festivities also see a bunch of cultural activities. Folk dance forms, such as Ghoomar and Kalbeliya, are performed. Local bards sing traditional songs, and markets filled with the vibrant offerings of Rajasthan (clothes, jewellery, food, footwear, bags, decorations) line the streets. The entrance to homes is decorated with rangolis, and the overall celebratory mood rubs off on locals and visitors alike.
Event details
When: March 24-26, 2023
Where: Udaipur, Rajasthan
How to reach Udaipur
By Air: The Maharana Pratap Airport is connected to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bangalore, to name a few. From here, board a taxi to reach the main city, which is roughly 20 kilometres away.
By Train: Udaipur City Railway Station receives trains from Delhi, Kolkata, New Jalpaiguri, Jaipur, Haridwar, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and several other cities in India. The station is located within the city, and you can get autorickshaws and taxis outside to take you to your destination.
By Road: Udaipur is located almost 670 kilometres from Delhi, 400 kilometres from Jaipur and 260 kilometres from Ahmedabad. The roads are well-maintained and smooth, making your road trip a fun experience.
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Related: Your Guide To Experiencing The Best Of Udaipur In 48 Hours
Anushka Goel
Digital Features Writer
Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument.
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